Fitzgerald raises $223K in first quarter on campaign

Sarasota Democrat Keith Fitzgerald is telling his supporters that his congressional campaign raised almost a quarter million dollars in the last three months of 2011.

In a letter to supporters, Fitzgerald said the campaign pulled in $223,000 from about 900 donors. That total is significant because it would be nearly double the amount of money Sarasota Democrat Christine Jennings raised in her first full quarter of her 2006 campaign when she fell just 369 votes short of defeating U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key.

"Clearly, this community came together quickly and decisively sending a message loud and clear that enough is enough and it’s time to restore honesty and integrity to Congress starting here in the 13th District," Fitzgerald said in an email blast to supporters.

Candidates for Congress have to report all their fundraising from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31 to the Federal Election Commission this month.

At a speech to the Sarasota Democratic Club on Tuesday, Fitzgerald called his first three months "very successful."

The New College of Florida professor said his goal was to work hard early at fundraising to show national Democrats how serious his campaign is.

"We are on the map nationally now," Fitzgerald said.

He told supporters that they will start seeing the campaign become more "visible" over the next few weeks and months.

Jeremy Wallace

Jeremy Wallace has covered politics for more than 15 years.
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Last modified: January 13, 2012
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